Life-preserver.



M. A. BRAZIL.

LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8. 1914.

1,127,174. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

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WITNESSES llVl/E/VTOH [p fla/roe/fl/z as 5/272 M M 5 By M ATTORNEYS THE NORRIS PETERS CQ. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHING ION. D. c

MANOEL ALVES BRAZIL, or PARA, BRAZIL.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915..

Application filed August 8, 1914-. Serial No. 855,867.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MANOEL Anvns BRAZIL, a citizen of the Republic of Brazil, and a resident of Para, Brazil, South America, have invented a new and Improved lliie-Preserver, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are :-to provide a device of the character mentioned for supporting the user in an upright or standing posture; to provide a floating member which will preserve its floating quality; to provide a construction of the character mentioned arranged to permit the use of 01: lensive and defensive weapons against sharks or similar fish or denizens of the sea; and to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned adapted to be folded for storage within a minimum space.

Dmwiags.-Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention and shown in service relation; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, shown as collapsed or in condition for storage; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in cross section, the section being taken on the line 33 in Fig. 2; Fig. i is an enlarged detail, showing in cross section one of the protective bands and means for suspending the same in service.

Descriptiom-As shown in the drawings, the structure depends for flotation on a rectangular buoy 9. The buoy 9, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, is rectangular in shape and in cross section. The buoy 9 is constructed to provide sufiicient flotation for the armor rings and .the unsubmerged portion of the body of the user of the life preserver.

The body of the buoy is made up of a filler 10, constructed from any suitable pithy or cellular material, such as flag stalks. The material forming the filler 10 is preferably cut into small pieces, which are held between boards 11. The boards 11 and the filler 10 are covered with a duck or canvas 12, the immediate edges whereof are sewed or otherwise secured in service position.

Depending from the buoy 9 is a series of metal hoops 12, 13 and 14:. Said hoops are connected in spaced and fixed relation by straps 15. The straps 15 are rigidly attached to the framework or" the buoy 9 and to the lowermost hoop 16. The hoop 16 is preferably provided with rigid cross braces 17, on which are permanently supported foot rests or stirrups 18.

As shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the buoy 9 is disposed, in service, above the waist-line of the person using the life preserver. The hoops 12 and 13 surround the portion of the body above the crotch or the legs of the person. The hoops are oval in shape, as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and are relatively formed to telescope; that is, the hoop 13 rests, when the life preserver is collapsed, within the hoop 12. The hoops 1a and 16 are circular in form, and are disposed to surround the legs of the user of the life preserver. These hoops are also constructed so that when the life preserver is collapsed, they telescope or nest, one within the other. The hoops 14L extend into the crotch of the wearer of the life pre server, and are there held by straps 19, which straps, as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings, are permanently secured to the buoy 9.

To adjust the life preserver to the body of the wearer, the wearer places his feet on the stirrups 18, then, grasping strap sections 20 and 21, he lifts the buoy 9 to the service position. The strap sections 20 and 21, after being passed over the shoulders of the wearer, are secured by buckles In lifting the buoy in the manner described, the hoops 12, 13 and 14: have been raised out of their nested positions, to properly'cover or surround the legs of the wearer, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. It will now be observed that the wearer may walk in the life preserver, the hoops being flexible enough to permit this action. hen the wearer goes into the water, it will be seen that the shoulder straps 20 and 21 may be removed from the shoulders, if desired. The wearer now stands upright in the water, the buoy 9 covering suiiicient area to prevent overturning. The weight of the bearer, it will be seen, is carried by the pendent structure composed of the hoops 12, 13, 1a and 16, and operates as a pendent ballast to maintain the buoy 9 in its proper riding position.

It will be understood that the life preserver is used at times for service in attack ing or withstanding the attack of sharks, and with this purpose in View, the buoy may be provided with means for holding harpoons, darts, spears, hatchets, or Whatever weapons of defense and offense it is thought proper to furnish the buoy with.

When the person has been lifted from the water, and it is desired to stow the lifepre= server, this is accomplished by lifting the hoops 13, 14: and 16 within-the rectangular frame of the buoy 9.

Claims:

1. A life preserver comprising a buoy adapted-to surround the body of the wearer; a plurality of stirrups pendently supported therefrom; a plurality of telescopically-arranged, interconnected armor hoops to form a skeletonframe adapted to surround the legs of a person standing on said stirrups when supported by said buoy; and a plurality of elliptical hoops disposed intermediate said buoy andf the first-mentioned. hoops-toform'an armor for the body of, the

person.

2. A life preserver comprising a buoy adaptedto surround the body of the wearer;

a plurality of stirrups pendently, supported ranged, interconnected and spaced apartarmor hoo )sto form a skeleton frame adapted to;surround the legs of a person standing on said'stirrups when supported by said buoy; and a plurality of elliptical hoops disposed intermediate said buoy and the first-mentioned hoops to form an armor for the body of the person, theends of said elliptical hoops corresponding with said Copies of this patent may be obtained for first-mentioned hoops to receive the same telescopically.

first-mentioned:hoops to form an armor for the body. of a person, the ends of said elliptical: hoops corresponding with said first-mentioned hoops toreceive the same telescopically; and straps operatively connecting-said hoops and said buoy to support said-hoops in-predetermined spaced relation.

5;,A- life preserver comprising a buoy adapteditosurround the body of the wearer; a plur-arlityof stirrups pendently supported therefrom; a plurality of telescopically-arranged, interconnected armor hoops to form a skeleton frameadapted to surround the legs of aperson standing on said stirrups when supportedsby said buoy; a plurality of elliptical hoops disposed intermediate said buoy and the first-mentioned hoops to form an armor for the body of the person; a plurality of supporting straps operatively con necting said hoops and said buoy to support in spaced relation said hoops and said stirrups, certain of said straps being attached to the uppermost of said first-mentioned hoops, and to said buoy at the front and rear thereof to form supporting members for holding the uppermost of said hoops in the crotch of the person using the life preserver.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MANUEL ALVES BRAZIL.

Witnesses E. F. Monsoon, PHILIP D. RoLLrIAUs.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, ID. G. 

